Parasha Talk Vayeshev 2021

Join Rabbis Eliot Malomet, Barry Chesler and Jeremy Kalmonofsky for Parsha Talk - Thanksgiving Edition. Parashat Va-yeshev [Genesis 37-40] is the first of four parashiyot which feature Joseph and his brothers. This week, Joseph is given a technicolor dreamcoat, as it were, which sets in motion the dreams he perhaps carelessly reveals to his brothers, his going forth to see how his brothers are faring as shepherds in the area of Shechem, his sale into slavery and his interactions with Potiphar and his wife. At the end of the parashah, after successully interpreting the dreams of the butler and baker, he is left languishing in prison, forgotten by the butler who had promised to remember him to Pharaoh. In chapter 38 we have the curious interlude of Judah and Tamar. We discuss Joseph as a transition figure, in terms of his ancestors, the Patriarchs, and his brothers. We touch upon the story of Judah and Tamar, and we discuss the episode with Mrs. Potiphar, which will land Joseph in jail. The time went quickly, so we hope you enjoy it as much as we did! Shabbat Shalom, and a Happy Thanksgiving!!